Ch26
Nico sighed as he looked at himself in the mirror his armor fit him good. "Are you ready Will?" He asked. He looked over at Will who had his armor on along with a bow and quiver.
Will looked at him and nodded, "Yeah lets do this."
Nico nodded and sheathed his father's sword to his side; he looked under his bed and saw the stash of nectar they had procured. Hopefully it is enough but the problem is getting to her. Artemis was under heavy guard and getting to her wouldn't be easy. We have to plan it well and find the right opportunity.
He sighed as he looked at Will, "Alright Will are you ready? We will most likely be fighting against the camp."
Will nodded though he could tell he was still nervous about it. "I am hopefully we just stay in the rear."
"Yeah me too though we are basically their propaganda," he sighed. They were currently in New York; he was able to summarize from other people that they were planning and invasion of Manhattan to take Olympus. Percy and the others will be defending it hopefully we will be able to help them.
Will nodded, "True but let's just try to be careful and stay alive ok," he said as he placed an arm on his shoulder and smiled at him.
He smiled back at Will, "Thanks Will. Yeah let's do this."
He and Will left their tent and found themselves in the main camp of Kronos, "Leaia is to the west right?" Will asked.
He nodded, "Yeah she is." Leaia was the codename they gave to Artemis since they feared about talking about her directly. "She has a lot of droids around," droids being the name they gave to the people who guarded her.
Will nodded, "Well lets go to the tents we will have a lot of people to heal." He nodded and followed Will to the medical tent which had a few casualties already.
Nico followed Will inside and both of them began to heal the wounded. He helped Will administer bandages and nectar to the wounded demigods. He really loves healing others he thought as he helped bandage the leg of a demigod. Will seemed truly happy when he was helping people and that was something he admired a lot about him.
They both continued to help the wounded and talked amongst themselves and even chatted up their patients. He helped Will with various tasks and even helped some demigods on himself. He and Will then ate some snacks and were resting when Ethan Nakamura came up to them.
"Both of your Will join the front with us," Alabastar said in a tone that was non compromising.
He and Wille exchanged a look, "But wouldn't it be better if we help out with the wounded?" He asked.
"It is an order from Lord Kronos himself," Alabastar said. "Hurry up and get ready you both will be leading the charge with Lord Kronos on Williamsburg Bridge."
"Fine let's get ready Will," he said. Will nodded and they both quickly got ready, "It's ok Will I'll cover for you if anything happens," he whispered.
Will gave him a small smile, "Thanks lets keep each other safe."
He nodded and they both went to Ethan who led them to their chariot, he summoned some skeletal guards for effect to march alongside him. They both got on it while Alabastar got onto his horse and they both headed towards the front line. They stared at the rows of monsters and demigods which moved away for them. The lines of monsters and weapons got thicker until they found Kronos who had his scythe in his hand.
"Ah Nico and Will I'm glad you both can make it," Kronos said with a smile. "We will soon begin our assault and we will need you both to enlighten the enemy."
Nico was going to ask what he meant about that but he had a feeling that he knew what he meant. He wants us to play our part as propaganda he looked at Will who had a neutral look on his face but he could tell that he was doing his best to not break down. He placed a hand on Will's shoulder and smiled at him, "It's alright we will get through this," he said.
Will nodded and smiled at him, "Thanks."
He took a deep breath we will be facing the other campers and he hoped that they wouldn't fight anyone close to them. However, as they approached the bridge he noticed Will's eyes widen. He looked over to where he was looking and saw in the middle of the bridge was the Apollo Cabin along with Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase.
"Michael," Will said softly. Will was shaking as they followed behind Kronos and next to Ethan. The Apollo cabin froze and stared at Will in a mixture of shock, sadness, and betrayal and at him with a mixture of anger and hatred.
I don't blame them after all he left with me. Kronos stepped forward, "Son of Poseidon Olympus will fall your stand here is pointless."
"We won't surrender Kronos," Percy said firmly. "We won't let you advance any further."
Kronos laughed, "Well we have our own son of the big three here," Kronos said pointing to him and Will. "Surrender now or face annihilation."
Annabeth looked at him, "Nico snap out of it you're under his control. What would your sister think if she saw you like this?"
Nico took a deep breath as he felt the eyes on him it is now or never. Just think of what Will taught me I have to be convincing now. He forced his face to appear stone cold as he looked at Percy and Annabeth. "The Olympians have used us demigods enough. Artemis stole my sister from me I will spill her blood and make her retake her oath after I destroy each and every one of her hunters," he yelled trying to sound as angry as possible.
"We will both destroy Olympus and bring a new age," he said as he gripped his sword and drew it. Those drama lessons Will has been giving me have been paying off he thought as he saw Percy's eyes widen at the sight of the sword of Hades. "Her hunters will be the first blood of the new age."
Kronos chuckled, "See son of Poseidon you are not the big three here. I will make sure Nico gets his revenge. Olympus will be raised and destroyed and I will begin my reign."
"Will," Michael Yew said as he stepped forward with his bow in hand. Michael's face was saddened just like the rest of the Apollo Cabin. "Will snap out of it this isn't you."
He looked at Will who appeared to be trying his best to stay calm but he could tell that he was close to breaking down. Will's arms were shaking as he stared at his brother. "Michael stop; father doesn't care about us, he never did," Will said.
"What are you talking about he does care about you. Will he misses you," Michael said as tears fell from his face.
"Cares about me?" Will said with a small laugh. Nico could tell that Will was acting even though it hurt him. "He never once visited me; he doesn't care about anyone but himself. He just goes around sleeping with whatever moves and hurts those who disagree with him"
Michael and the Apollo Cabin stood in shock at their brother as he continued to talk, "Our father never cared about anyone he just tosses our parents aside and goes on to the next person who catches his eyes. He is nothing but a conceited narcissistic man child who pleasures in hurting others and who only cares about his sexual conquests. I cannot be associated with such a predator who has done so much harm to a lot of people."
Nico noticed that Kronos and those around him appeared satisfied by his answer. Will looked at siblings, "You don't have to fight us Lord Kronos will be fair. You all don't have to fear our father or any of the Olympians anymore."
Michael Yew took a step back in horror as he looked at Will. The rest of the Apollo Cabin were just as horrified at what their brother had said while Percy and Annabeth were equally shocked. "Will what did he do to you?" Michael said as he turned his gaze to him.
Nico felt Michael glared at him, "You did this, Will would never say this. What did you do to him!"
Percy put an arm on Michael's shoulder, "It's ok," he said softly.
Michael looked at Will, "Don't listen to them Will. Father loves you dearly and is distraught that you joined Kronos."
Will shook his, Nico noticed that he was doing all he could to not cry, "Father has long stopped caring about any of us Michael." Michael looked as if there were tears on his eyes as he stared at Will in disbelief.
Kronos laughed, "Foolish children the gods do not care about you now surrender or die."
"Percy the bridge destroy it!" Annabeth yelled.
"Charge!" Kronos yelled as Percy slammed his sword into the ground.
"Will hold on tight," He yelled as he gripped the reins and the pegasi ran forward. The bridge rumbled as a wall of water burst through the middle of them. The pegasi screamed as they took off from the ground. He had gripped the chariot tightly with Will as they tried to maneuver it from the water and debris. His skeletal guard fell to the ocean as he tried to maneuver the chariot.
That was when they saw a figure falling down. Nico instinctively maneuvered the chariot to rescue whoever was falling. Will grabbed the person who to both of their surprises was Michael Yew.
"Michael!" Will said as he pulled Michael in the chariot. Michael appeared to have been knocked out and his face was bleeding. "Michael please hang on," Will begged as tears fell from his cheeks.
Nico focused on driving the chariot back to their side. Well that was very heroic of Percy he thought as he looked at the ruined bridge. But we all know that Kronos isn't dead. He drove the chariot to the ground that wasn't too far from the camp. "Hey Will-" but he was already off with Michael in hand. "Hey Will wait up," he called as he quickly left the chariot and followed Will to the medic tent.
He followed Will inside the tent as Will found a secluded room. He placed Michael Yew on the bed and quickly tried to clean up his wounds. Nico grabbed some supplies for him and Will took them without a word and began treating Michael. "Michael please hang in there," Will begged as he cleaned up the wound.
Nico only stared in shock and waited for Will to give him orders. However, Will did not speak him, he was only concerned with trying to help his brother. I don't blame him if it weren't for me he would be with his siblings. Instead he denounced them and their father and now his brother is almost dead. He could feel that Michael was hanging on to life by a thread.
Michael then began to stir in the bed, "Michael!" Will called out as Michael turned to look at him. "Michael please hang in there I'll heal you," he said as he got some nectar and tried to administer it to his brother. However, Michael refused it. "Come on Michael you need this," Will said as tears fell down his face.
"Will I won't join him," Michael said firmly looking at Will. Will stared in shock as Michael continued to talk, "Even if you hate father and hate us you should know that father was distraught when he found out that you left for Kronos. We all miss you Will, even if you don't come to your senses know that we care about you."
Nico felt his heart sink as Will cried, "Michael please take this. It's not what it looks like I swear," he said softly as he sobbed. "Michael we are doing something important please understand."
Michael looked at Will who was tearing up and sighed, "Fine heal me if you want but I will die before I join Kronos."
"Just take this please," Will said as he held the nectar to Michael's lips. Michael reluctantly took the nectar as Will continued to help. "I can't say much but we will try to keep you safe," he whispered.
Nico stood there awkwardly until he saw Ethan walk towards them, "You both took a prisoner?" He asked.
He and Will exchanged a look and nodded, "Yeah we did," he said for Will. "We think he might have valuable information about the enemy it is best that we keep him alive.
Ethan looked and Michael as Will avoided his gaze, "Fine but he will have to be guarded," Ethan said as he called out to some other demigods. "Watch over him make sure he lives." The demigods nodded as Ethan turned to him and Will. "Lord Kronos is pleased with how you both proved your loyalty he is in his tent resting, it is best that you two rest as well."
Nico nodded, "We will probably heal the wounded here first."
Ethan nodded and Nico stayed with Will as the two sentries watched them heal Michael. He probably doesn't want to leave him but I want to speak to her. He leaned over and whispered into Will's ear, "I'll visit Leaia." Will only nodded slightly as he got up and left the medic tent.
He walked towards where Artemis was being held. He didn't know why he was doing it but something about seeing Will hurt made him very mad. I'm sorry Will for making you fight against your family. I'm probably the worst friend ever I will make this right. As much as he loved Bianca and disliked Artemis right now he wanted to help the one person who called him a friend, who kept him sane this past year and saw the good in him. He will help Will and right now he was determined to even help the one goddess he disliked the most.
He approached the tent, "I wish to speak with the goddess," he said firmly with a steely look.
The guards exchanged a look, "Do you have permission to see her?" One asked curiously.
"Lord Kronos has promised her to me should I call him and have him remind you both?" He said in a dangerous tone as he narrowed his eyes on them. He gripped his sword for effect and saw their eyes widen in fear.
The guards nodded, "Fine but be careful she is feisty."
He nodded as the guards moved to the side. He then entered the tent and found Artemis chained to two poles. She looked up at him with anger in her eyes. Don't get angry we need her. He had to be careful about this less the guards report anything.
"You took her from me!" He yelled but his face was not angry. "Well now your hunters are being slaughtered on the Lincoln Tunnel," he moved closer but and before she could speak whispered, "We will get out hang in there."
Artemis stared at him in shock and her eyes narrowed in on him, "What trickery is this?" She said softly. Her eyes were narrow as if trying to find deceit.
"I swear on the River Styx that me and Will are trying to get you out," he said softly he felt his body twinge as the oath was made. "Please play along they may report me," he then cleared his throat, "You stole her from me and now your hunters are paying the price! Just swear on the Styx that you wont hurt me or Will and will at least have him pardoned, he did nothing wrong," he muttered as he looked into Artemis's eyes.
Artemis's eyes widened and nodded seeing what he was doing, "Foolish boy my hunters will defeat your men. Olympus will prevail." She then sighed before whispering softly, "Fine. I swear on the Styx I won't harm you or your friend Will if you help me escape, I'll also see if I convince the Olympians to be somewhat lenient on you and to spare your friend."
Nico felt the sensation of the Oath being made, he still didn't care for Artemis but he wanted to make things right.
He nodded, "Well my sword which was forged in the underworld can cut through anything and I will very much enjoy cutting down all those who took her from me," he took out his sword for effect and showed it to Artemis.
The goddess looked him in the eye and nodded, "Well don't wait too long my hunters are the quickest."
He laughed as he nodded his head, "Oh don't worry we are planning everything. We are just waiting for the right opportunity. Lord Kronos will soon move to another position on the battlefield and that is when me and Will can make our move exact vengeance on your pathetic hunt."
Artemis nodded, "Don't wait too long you boys are can be so slow."
Nico laughed, "Oh we wont be we already got a captive from the Apollo Cabin, Olympus will soon fall." He leaned in closer. "Sorry for what happened I was a brat."
Artemis only nodded, "It's alright, now hurry."
He gave her a small smile and did a small bow, "I will spill your blood!" He said for effect as the goddess smiled at him before he left the tent. He still didn't know how to feel about her but he wanted to make things right.
He looked at the guards when he exited. "She will be my kill make sure nothing happens to her," he said in a cold tone.
The demigod guards nodded, "Y-Yes sir."
"Good," he said as he walked off. Being a son of Hades does have its perks. He headed back to their tent where he found Will sitting on the bed. "How are you feeling?" He asked as he sat across from him. "Is he ok?"
Will looked up at him and nodded, "He'll survive." Will's face was red and he looked like he had been crying a lot.
"I'm sorry that you had to go through that earlier with your siblings," he said.
"It's Nico don't worry about it," Will said with a small smile. "Let's just focus on now ok."
"Alright," he sighed. "Well Leaia is doing ok I let her know about it. She wants to run around as soon as possible," he said softly. Even with Will he didn't want to risk talking about their plan openly.
Will nodded, "Well Nico I hope we can find a good opportunity for your revenge," he said with a wink.
Nico smiled at his friend, "Me too. I want to make everything right again."